Charlize Theron gained 16kg for new film and says she's "very fat right now"

Charlize Theron gained 16kg for new film role and revealed on Thursday night that she fells "very fat right now".

The 41-year-old actress was being honoured for her humanitarian work with the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project at the amfAR Inspiration Gala in Los Angeles when Chelsea Handler made a joke about her fuller figure.

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Theron said, “Yes, I’m very fat right now," in response to Handler's inappropriate comment.

The Hollywood star is set to play a mother-of -three, whose brother hires her to be a nanny in her new film Tully and reportedly gained 35lbs (16kg) for the role.

Speaking to Yahoo Beauty, Erin Hillard, program director at the University of Notre Dame’s Body Image and Eating Disorder Lab, said her weight should never have been discussed at the event.

"I think it’s unfortunate for her and all women, fat or thin, that she was there to accept an award for something important she’s doing and the focus was on her weight,” she said.

“It sends a message that no matter what good you may be doing in the world, if you’re a woman, your physical appearance will always be more important.”

Chelsea has previously spoken out about body shaming in the past and in 2014 she told SheKnows that "You shouldn’t be telling someone they’re fat".

“Usually if somebody’s fat they know it about themselves, so you don’t have to alert them to it. I mean, if somebody’s overweight, they’re already thinking about it.”

Handler also opened up about her own body image issues. “I mean, people who aren’t fat think they’re fat — myself included,” she said. “I have body dysmorphia… we all have it.”

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